The cryptic chromosomal deletion del(11)(p12p13) as a new activation mechanism of LMO2 in pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Blood. 2006 Nov 15;108(10):3520-9. doi: 10.1182/blood-2006-04-019927. Epub 2006 Jul 27.

Abstract

To identify new cytogenetic abnormalities associated with leukemogenesis or disease outcome, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) patient samples were analyzed by means of the array-comparative genome hybridization technique (array-CGH). Here, we report the identification of a new recurrent and cryptic deletion on chromosome 11 (del(11)(p12p13)) in about 4% (6/138) of pediatric T-ALL patients. Detailed molecular-cytogenetic analysis revealed that this deletion activates the LMO2 oncogene in 4 of 6 del(11)(p12p13)-positive T-ALL patients, in the same manner as in patients with an LMO2 translocation (9/138). The LMO2 activation mechanism of this deletion is loss of a negative regulatory region upstream of LMO2, causing activation of the proximal LMO2 promoter. LMO2 rearrangements, including this del(11)(p12p13) and t(11;14) (p13;q11) or t(7;11)(q35;p13), were found in the absence of other recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities involving HOX11L2, HOX11, CALM-AF10, TAL1, MLL, or MYC. LMO2 abnormalities represent about 9% (13/138) of pediatric T-ALL cases and are more frequent in pediatric T-ALL than appreciated until now.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Child
  • Chromosome Deletion*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11*
  • Cytogenetic Analysis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
  • Gene Rearrangement
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • LIM Domain Proteins
  • Metalloproteins / genetics
  • Metalloproteins / metabolism*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / genetics*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Translocation, Genetic

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • LIM Domain Proteins
  • LMO2 protein, human
  • Metalloproteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins